Elections key terms

A process where people are given the opportunity to form representative institutions and government.

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Majoritarian representation

A political system which tends to throw up a government that enjoys a majority within representative institutions and therefore is able to dominate party politics.

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Proportional representation

An electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.

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Electoral reform

Change in electoral systems to improve how public desires are expressed in election results.

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Party system

The system of interactions resulting from inter-party competition.

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Strong government

A characteristic of political systems where the executive branch of government is dominant. Government is able to dominate legislature and so is able to implement most of its policies without excessive obstruction.

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Stable government

A characteristic of a political system where governments tend to survive their full term and are unlikely to be removed from power between elections.

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Mandate

The authority that the government has to implement measures/policies from manifestos.

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Manifesto

Proposed policies to implement if you gain power in an election.

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Majority

Winning over 50%.

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Plurality

Having one more vote from the next most successful candidate.

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Winners bonus

When the winning party gets a disproportionality high number of seats when compared to the vote.

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Disproportionality

Where the numbers of seats you get does not match the number of votes you have.

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Electorate

The people who are eligible to vote.

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Legitimacy

How valid/respected your authority is.

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Parliament

A representative body having supreme legislative powers within a state or multinational organisation.